Roasted Kabocha Squash

This easy roasted kabocha squash recipe is a delicious fall side dish! Sesame seeds, scallions, and a nutty sesame ginger dressing top the sweet squash.

Roasted kabocha squash with sesame seeds and scallions

Last fall, my brother-in-law, Josh, made the most amazing roasted kabocha squash for Thanksgiving. He cut it into wedges and cooked it with the skin still on. When it came out of the oven, the dense, bright orange flesh was smooth and creamy, with a sweet, nutty, and caramelized flavor. “What did you do to this?” I asked. “I just roasted it,” he said.

Also known as Japanese pumpkin, kabocha squash is a wonderfully versatile winter squash variety. In Japanese cooking, it’s often simmered in a flavorful dashi stock to make Kabocha no Nimono or fried and served as part of vegetable tempura. In Korea, it’s cooked into porridge and mashed into salad. Previously, I’ve blended it into pasta sauce and simmered it into soup.

But it wasn’t until I tried Josh’s Thanksgiving side dish that I really fell in love with roasted kabocha squash. It’s so simple to prepare, and it has such a rich flavor. Earlier this fall, I started topping it with sesame seeds, scallions, and my sesame ginger dressing to make a composed side dish, and I’m still obsessed with the combination. I hope you love it too!

One orange and one green kabocha squash

How to Roast Kabocha Squash

If you’re not a fan of chopping and peeling winter squash, I don’t blame you. It’s not my favorite thing to do either! I do have good news, though: there’s no need to peel kabocha squash, as the skin is entirely edible. If your squash is particularly nubbly, you may want to trim away any brown, dry spots, but feel free to leave on the orange or green skin.

I also have a trick to make the squash easier to cut. Instead of attempting to slice it raw, I pop the whole, unpeeled squash in the oven for 10 minutes. This pre-bake makes it so much easier (and safer!) to slice.

Japanese pumpkin halved on a cutting board with some seeds scooped out

After you pre-bake the squash, use a sharp knife to slice it in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds.

Wedges of kabocha squash on a cutting board

Then, cut the seeded halves into 1 1/2-inch wedges.

Hand grinding pepper over squash wedges on a baking sheet

Spread them in an even layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet and toss with generous drizzles of olive oil, salt, and pepper.

Hands tossing wedges with olive oil, salt, and pepper

Transfer to a 425°F oven and roast the squash until it’s tender and golden brown, flipping halfway. That’s it!

Roasted kabocha squash on a baking sheet with spatula

Kabocha Squash Recipe Tips

  • Save the seeds! Like pumpkin seeds, kabocha squash seeds are entirely edible. When roasted, they’re a delicious, protein-rich appetizer or snack. After you remove the seeds from the squash, pull off any orange, stringy flesh, rinse and dry the seeds, and toss them with a bit of olive oil and sea salt. Roast at 300°F for 35-45 minutes, stirring halfway, until golden brown and crisp. Yum!
  • Don’t skimp on the oil. When roasted, different kabocha squash can vary in texture. Some are super-soft and creamy, sort of like a baked sweet potato, while others are a bit more dry and chalky. To prevent these squash from becoming too dry in the oven, make sure to coat them generously with oil. I use about 2 tablespoons for one medium kabocha squash.

Platter of roasted squash wedges with scallions, sesame seeds, and microgreens

Roasted Kabocha Squash Serving Suggestions

My favorite way to eat roasted kabocha squash is with sprinkles of sesame seeds, sliced scallions, and sesame ginger dressing. If I happen to have some on hand, I also add microgreens for a colorful finishing touch. Together, they create a simple side dish with a delicious mix of sweet, nutty, and savory flavors. Serve it with a bowl of miso soup and steamed rice, crispy sesame tofu, or whatever protein you like.

Not in the mood for sesame ginger? This roasted kabocha squash would be fantastic with one of these sauces instead:

Enjoy!

Roasted kabocha squash recipe

More Favorite Winter Squash Recipes

If you love this roasted kabocha squash, try making one of these winter squash recipes next:

Get This Recipe In Your Inbox
Share your email, and we'll send it straight to your inbox. Plus, enjoy daily doses of recipe inspiration as a bonus!

Roasted Kabocha Squash

rate this recipe:
4.50 from 12 votes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Serves 4 to 6
This roasted kabocha squash recipe is a delicious fall or winter side dish! Topped with sesame seeds, scallions, and my sesame ginger dressing, it's filled with sweet, savory, and nutty flavor.

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 425°F and warm the squash (whole) in the oven for 10 minutes, so that it’s easier to slice.
  • Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • Slice the squash in half lengthwise, scoop out the ribbing and seeds, and then slice into 1½-inch slices. Divide the slices among the baking sheets, drizzle with the olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and roast for 25 to 30 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown and tender. (Note: the skin should be tender and it’s edible too.)
  • Arrange the roasted squash on a shallow platter. Drizzle with the dressing, and sprinkle with the scallions, sesame seeds, and microgreens. Season to taste with more salt and pepper and serve.

 

16 comments

Leave a comment:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Rate this recipe (after making it)




  1. Awesome! This is definitely worth a try! I love the quality of the roasted kabocha squash. Thank you for sharing the recipe.

    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      05.19.2023

      I hope you enjoy!

  2. CJurado
    01.02.2023

    2 stars
    Dressing was delicious, presentation with micro greens and sesame seeds beautiful, roasted kombocha squash…yuck! The squashed turned out crumbly , as per your warning, despite using oil as directed and adding extra at the half way mark when flipped. I think I just picked a terrible squash. However do you pick a good one? This dish was made for Christmas dinner and was tossed after we all tried it. Everyone agreed the accompanying flavors were good but the texture of squash was awful. Would steaming the squash pre roasted have made a difference?

    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      01.03.2023

      Oh darn! Getting a bad squash is so disappointing. My best tip for selecting one is to choose one that’s heavy for its size and has no visible soft spots or blemishes. I’m not sure how steaming, then roasting would work, but I think steamed kabocha squash would be lovely with this preparation! You could steam it until it’s fully tender and then top it with the dressing, etc.

  3. Sam
    12.10.2022

    3 stars
    Great way to cook kubocha, the sauce was amazing! Went very well with salmon.

    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      12.16.2022

      So glad you loved it!

  4. Tiffany
    11.04.2022

    4 stars
    Absolutely delicious with the sesame ginger dressing. Huge hit at a dinner party!

    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      11.11.2022

      Hi Tiffany, I’m so glad the recipe was a hit!

  5. Marcela Villalvazo
    10.17.2022

    5 stars
    Great recipe !
    It tastes amazing

  6. Sammie
    01.02.2022

    5 stars
    This makes the absolute best squash I have ever had. The pre baking tip makes it so much easier and faster to chop up the squash. I didn’t have the ingredients to make the sauce, but still it was delicious and creamy so you just want to keep eating it.

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      01.03.2022

      I’m so glad you loved the squash!

  7. Robinne from robinneweiss.com
    10.20.2021

    This is my absolute favourite way to cook winter squash! We sprinkle sesame seeds and fresh thyme on the wedges.

  8. Dora
    10.19.2021

    I made it and it was amazing. I made a miso dressing since that’s all I had. It turned out perfect. I’ll make it again soon!

  9. Sabrina from newkitchenlife.com
    10.18.2021

    really nice way to treat squash! really like the scallions and sesame seeds, thank you

  10. Fanny Blofart
    10.17.2021

    Perfect timing! I look forward to trying this!

  11. Kim
    10.17.2021

    Perfect timing! I got a kabocha in my subscription veggie box and it’s been staring at me from the counter for a couple of weeks. The sesame ginger dressing sounds great. I look forward to trying this!

A food blog with fresh, zesty recipes.
Photograph of Jeanine Donofrio and Jack Mathews in their kitchen

Hello, we're Jeanine and Jack.

We love to eat, travel, cook, and eat some more! We create & photograph vegetarian recipes from our home in Chicago, while our shiba pups eat the kale stems that fall on the kitchen floor.